Arc sees big Japanese challenge Japan's three challengers for this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe are set to arrive in France during the middle of this month. El Condor Pasa, Nakayama Festa and Orfevre (twice) have all finished second in October's Longchamp finale, with the Far Eastern nation's runners usually having a tune-up at this Sunday's trials meeting. The team this year is headed by Just A Way, who became the world's top-ranked horse when thrashing his rivals in the Dubai Duty Free and most recently won over a mile back in Japan at the start of June. Three-year-old Harp Star and hardy five-year-old Gold Ship, both domestic Group One winners, finished first and second in last month's Sapporo Kinen. A spokesperson from the Japanese Racing Association said: "Just A Way, Gold Ship and Harp Star would be involved in the Arc field. "However, they will be scheduled to arrive in Chantilly on September 20 and will not run in any of the prep races in France."
